Hiroyuki Hasegawa, co-founder of legendary tuning company HKS, has passed away at age 71. The company released a brief statement, which contained no specific details of his death.

Founded in 1973 by Hasegawa and Goichi Kitigawa, and with an investment from Sigma Automotive, HKS has been one of the premier tuners in the world. Crafting everything from one of the fastest R35 GTRs in the world (pictured above), to outright drag racing monsters, top speed machines, and even developing a Formula 1 engine, HKS cemented itself in the lexicon of those who know about speed and craftsmanship.

A former Yamaha engineer, Hasegawa worked tirelessly to develop and release his first aftermarket turbocharger kit in 1974. From there his company developed many turbo kits and upgrade kits, eventually developing electronic devices that would become staples in the tuning world: boost controllers and turbo timers. HKS has been involved in all levels of motorsport, from D1GP to JGTC, Formula 3 to drag racing. Demand became so great that the company expanded into the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom, and Thailand.

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